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Rugby attack

Rugby attack - when you get the ball you must attack and score tries. Know how you do it!

Control the ball

Your team must control the ball - a major part of attack.

You control the ball when you

carry the ball - running or walking, you must be on your feet Note: You`re allowed to walk but I don`t advise it - if you find you`re holding the ball GET RUNNING!

hand it to a team-mate (never forwards from your position)

pass it(controlled throw) to a team-mate(again, never forwards)

You may also kick the ball in any direction, including forwards
but doing that will probably
give away control of the ball to the opposition.

Forget about kicking till you know more about how to play rugby.

Support the ball carrier

A good rule of thumb
until you are confident you know how to play rugby,
wherever the ball goes when your team has possession
think about support for the ball carrier

imagine a line passing through the ball that goes from one side of the field to the other (like the half way line does)

stay behind or get behind that line and you will be available to support the ball carrier or receive the ball from a pass or kick

Some other rules of thumb when carrying the ball in rugby attack

run straight (parallel with the touch lines) - this rapidly moves the ball towards the opposition goal-line

run hard - it`s more difficult to stop you!

learn how to sidestep - get past the opposition

if you can`t beat the opposition players make them commit to tackling you - so they aren`t available to tackle team-mates you pass to

avoid getting isolated - strength in numbers

sidestep - yes it`s here twice! - beating defenders is a vital part of how to play rugby

use support players - you`re a team, many hands make light work

Create uneven contests

The differences in size, strength, speed,
athletic abilities, vision, knowledge
and skill of the players in the two teams
result in uneven contests between players
who find themselves facing each other
in attack and defence.

Look for these uneven contests
and take advantage.

a big ball carrier facing a small defender
a fast attacker against a slower defender
a darting, sidestepping player against anyone! (I'm biased!)
a support player running at a good angle into a gap
pass quickly, create an overlap from unequal numbers of attackers v defenders

Put that together with all the shouting, running, falling, tackling and pushing and it`s pretty chaotic in a rugby attack.

Use your excellent skills including vision

Keep surveying the whole scene - it`s vital

You must see where everyone is NOW
and know where they`re going
and where they`re NOT going!

As you attack your team must
find or create uneven contests and take advantage of them,
break through with the ball and
score!

Make sure you have good skills so
you run, pass and catch well
and you deal well with any situation.

When your coach introduces attacking plays
you will find it easy to adapt and do well.

Make yourself INvaluable in attack - make sure you can sidestep

Return from Rugby attack to How to play rugby

Evtechs Sports Training
Sydney, Australia